Rotary duplicator



Feb. 3, 1942. l R. R. RocKHlLL I 2,271,954

ROTARY DUPLICATOR Filed vMay 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l Inventur RRRmcKl-III Fit-tm 111-15395 Feb. 3, l'942 R.R.RocKH|LL ROTARY DUPLICATOR l Filed May 5,1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb; 3, 1942. lR. R. RCKHILL 2,271,954

ROTARY DUPLICATO-R Filed May 5, 1959 s Smets-sheet 3 Inventur* R.R.R|:H: K-IIII H 'tst-mr' HEHE.

Patented Feb. 3, 1942 2 claims. (el. 10i-132.5) 1

'I his invention pertains to duplicating machines of the liquid or spirit type, in which a moistened work sheet is passed over va cylinder containing a master copy made by typing the same against a hectograph sheet.

The invention hasv primarily for its object to ,f

simplify and; improve machines of the foregoing type, particularly with rrespect to proper uniform -application ofmoisture to the worksheet, correct registration of the sheets with the master copy, and automatic feed of the work sheets from a stack.

Incidental to the foregoing a more specic object of the invention is to provide a moistening mechanism of the roller type,-including a pressure feed roll for forcing the Work sheets against a moistening roll par-tially submergedY in liquid,

said pressure feed roll being intermittently rotated when in contact with the work sheet only, to prevent moisture from` being transferred to the pressure feed roll to produce an extra heavy copy at the beginning of the sheet.

Another object resides in elimination of wicks and the provision of a roller moistening -mechanism in which liquid is uniformly applied to the moistening roll throughout its length.

Another object is to provide means for creating transverse spreading tension upon the work sheets vas they pass over theA moistening roll,y to prevent Wrinkles forming in the sheet.' Another object resides in the provision of an exceedingly simple and positive yautomatic sheet feed mechanism,'capable of feeding sheets of wide variation in length and width from a stack. vA still further object isthe provision of a mechanism for quickly centering stacks of work sheets ofvarious dimensions, for uniform accurate registerwith the master copy.

With the above and other objects in View, which Will appearas the description proceeds, the invention' resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter described,- and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understoodthat such changes in the preciseemrbodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come Within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings are illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof.

In the drawings: ff Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a duplicating machine incorporating the present invention,v the same being taken on the `line l-l of Figure 2. f

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine with parts broken away and in section to more clearly illustrate structural details.

Figure 3 is a plan section taken onthe line l `33-of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on the line4--4 of Figure 1.

YFigure 5 is a detailed *section of the moistening mechanismtaken Aon the line 5-5 of kFigure 2."

Figure 6 is a' detailed section of the mounting of the pressure roll working against the master cylinder, 'the same being taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.A f

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a -portion of the jstack centeringand holding mechanism,` the same being 1 -1 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail-section taken on the line8-8 of Figure 2 illustrating the clamping mechanism for the master copy.

- Figure-9 is a planview of a stack supporting table equipped with a modified form ofv stack centering and holding mechanism, vparts being broken away andin section to'more clearly illustrate structural features.

Referring-now more particularly tothe accompanying drawings. Athe numeral I designates generally-'a casing or frame Acomprising side and end walls 2 andl 3 respectively, upon which a stack supporting table 4-is mounted adjacent the forward end ofthe machine. Carried by the table is a-stack centering and holding mechanism 5, While adjacent the rear end of the table, is a moistening mechanism 6, mounted between the side walls 2, for receiving Work sheets from the stack supported onlthe table.

Journaled in theside Wallsl carries themaster copy C, as hereinafter eX- plained. The cylinder 8 may be rotated -bya clined plate I0 secured tothe top of therear the principles of 52,5

wall 3, and terminating closely adjacent the cylinder 8, serves .to deliver thenished work sheets from the machine as they are dischargedfromV the cylinder. l,

For automatically feeding sheets from the stack cont'ainedfonthe table 4 to the 'moistening mechanism 6, a feed ll is provide-mand actuated in timed relation to theJoperatiOn of oFF-lcs taken on the line 2,rearwardly of I the moistening mechanism 6, isa transverse shaft 1, upon which a cylinder'B is secured, that both the moistening mechanism 6 and the master cylinder 8.

Considering now in detail the several operative units heretofore generally referred to, in their order of operation, for centering and frictionally holding the stack E on the table 4, the mechanism comprises a -pair of oppositely threaded spaced worms 22, journaled in side brackets 23 carried by the table 4 and an intermediate bracket 24 also secured to the bottom of the table. The worms 22 are each provided with right and left hand threads extending in opposite directions from the center bracket 24, and mounted upon each side of the worms is a pair of alined nuts 25, to which a U shaped bar 21 is secured, the ends of the bars extending upwardly through transverse openings 2,8 formed in the table,

The upturned ends of the bars -21 Acarry straps 29, upon which brackets 30 are slidably mounted, the brackets being frictionally held upon the bars by means of spring clips 3| as best shown in Figure 7 Suitably secured'in the brackets are frictional pads 32 formed of sponge rubberor other suitable material, for frictionally engaging the edges of the stack E which is supported adjacent its edges upon the feet 39 formed on the lower end of the brackets.

Inasmuch as the pads 32 lare spaced an equal distance from the longitudinal axis of the table,

rotation of the screws will obviouslycause them to be simultaneously and uniformly moved toward or away from the longitudinal axis of the table. This operation is accomplished by means of a crank handle 33 journaled in one of the side brackets23 and the central bracket 24, and operatively connected with the screw shafts 22 through a gear train 34.

The feed mechanism Il comprises a pair of arms I2 pivoted at their lower ends to the inner faces of the side walls 2 of the casing, and projecting upwardly adjacent the sides of the table 4, a substantial distance above the same. The arms I2 'are connected at their upper ends by a transverse bar I3, upon which a feed arm I4 is pivotally mounted adjacent its forward end, the arm extending downwardly and rearwardly to engage the top work sheet F of the stack E supported upon the table 4, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure l. 'Ihe lower end of the 'arm I4 is provided with a foot J comprising a restricted channel member I5, which clamps a strip of f pliable material I6, such as rubber, composition, felt or other suitable material presenting a soft surface for frictionally engaging the work sheets.

As will be noted in Figure l, the lower face of the ,strip I5 is slightly rounded, while'the channel I5 is loosely connected to the end of the arm I4 by headed studs Il, which allow the foot to rock slightly with relation to the arm I4, to increase frictional contact between the foot and work sheets upon the forward feeding movement `of the arm, and relieve the same upon return travel.

Reciprocaticn of the arm I4 is accomplished by means of a lever I'I, pvotally connected to one of the side walls 2, and provided 'at its upper end with a knurled roller I8, which operates against an eccentric ber cam I9 secured upon the shaft "I, thatr carries the master cylinder 9. It is preferred to knurl the surface of the roller I, which engages the fiber disc I9, inasmuchlas it insures continuous rotation of the roller, which might otherwise stick and'cause 'a fiat in the surface of the eccentric I9, thus affecting accuracy of the feed mechanism I4.

A link 20 connecting the lever Il with one o1' the arms I2, imparts movement to the arm and, consequently, to the transverse bar I3, which carries the feed arm I4. The lever I'I is held against the cam I9 by a contractile spring 2I, connected to one of the 'arms I2 and the casing.

Positioned above the moistener 6, to protect the same against dirt and accidental insertion of the operators hand is a hood 99 secured to the side walls 2, and provided with a depending inclined side wall 9| terminating in a lip 92, parallel to the rear of the table 4, and forming a restricted throat T for receiving and directing the Work sheets tothe moistener.

rIhe moistening mechanism comprises a liquid trough 35, the ends of which are provided with bosses 36 secured to the side walls 2 by cap screws 31. Secured to the inner faces of the ends of the trough are brackets 38, in which a moistening roll 339 is journaled. Above the moistened roll, a pressure feed roll 49 is also journaled in the brackets 38, and is formed of yieldable m'aterial such as rubber, composition or the like to maintain pressure upon the moistening roll. As best shown in Figure 2, it is also preferred to provide the surface of the roll 40 with oppositely extending threads 4I. The function of these threads is to create a slight spreading tension upon the work sheet to prevent any possibility or wrinkling as the same passes through the moistener, thus insuring a smooth sheet 'and -even copy.

As best shown in Figure 5, the brackets 38 are provided with longitudinal slots 4| for reception of slidable blocks 42, in which the squeegee roll 43 is journaled. The roll 43 is yieldably held in contact 'with the moistening roll 39 by an expansible coil spring 44 interposed between the blocks and plates 45 secured to one of the side walls of the trough 35, the plates 45 being detachable to facilitate replacement of the springs, without dismantling the entire moistening mechanism.

In addition to removing excess liquid from the moistening roll 39, the face of the squeegee roll 43 is preferably provided with a ne thread, which upon rotation of the roll serves to distribute the liquid longitudinally on the moistening roll, thus insuring a uniform coating throughout the entire length of the roll.

As will be later described, the pressure feed roller is driven at intervals, by means of a ber or composition roller 46 secured to a protruding end of the roller shaft 4U', and alined for inter-'- mittent operative engagement with a toothed sector 4l secured upon the shaft 'I that carries the cylinder 8.

During operation of the machine, the trough 35 is supplied with liquid through an opening 48, formed in one of its walls, and provided with a nipple 49 .connected with areservoir 50 by a exible hose or tube 5I. During operation of the machine the reservoir 5G is supported in inclined position above the level of the nipple 43 by a. pair of rack arms 52 secured to the exterior of one of the side walls 2.

, Mounted above the cylinder 8, closely adjacent the moistening mechanism 5, is a pressure roll 53 preferably formed of vulcanized rubber or composition, and engaging the cylinder to impress the worksheetstightly against the-master copy carriedby` the cylinder. The pressure roll 53 is adjustably mounted on the casing as shown in Figures 4 and 6, which includes a transverse strap 54, fastened to the sides of the casing, and

.afanes/i `having attached thereto :a bracket 55 provided at its endsfor reception of sleeves `51 in'whichjthe -roller shaft 58 is Ajournaled. The shaft 58, and its sleeves 51 are held against longitudinal move- .mentzb-y abutment plates 59 fastened to the outer faces of the depending arms 56.

Slidably mounted within slots 80 provided in the arms 56, is a pressure bar 6| provided adjacent its ends with notches 62 for reception of the pressure plates `63, which are also notchedl at their upper ends to straddle the pressure bar 8|, thus locking the bar 6| against longitudinal movement, and preventing transverse shifting of the plates 83 with relation to the bar. The lower ends of the pressure plate 63 are provided with arcuate notches 64, `for reception of the sleeves 51. A thumb screw 65 threaded through the strap 54 and the bracket 55 engages the pressure bar 6| vintermediate'its ends to provide for adjustment of `the pressure exerted by the roller 53 uponthe'master cylinder 8, the pressure being equalized and transmitted to the ends of the roller by the plates 63.

As best shown in Figures 1, 2, and 8, the cylinder 8, is provided with a transverse groove 86 l for'reception of a pinch bar 61'that serves to clamp an end of the master copy C upon the cylinder; kThe ends of the pinch bar terminate in `depending arms 08, which abut thefhubs 69 of the cylinder 8, as best shown in Figure 1, while contractile springs 10 connected to the sides of the cylinder 8 and the karms 58 serve to create both radial circumferential tension upon the bar 81, to yieldably hold the same within the transverse groove 66 of the cylinder, and against the I rear wall 66 of the groove, the end of the master sheet being clamped between the bar and rear wall ofthe groove.

To facilitate attachment of the master copy in the groove 66, thebar 61 is provided centrally of its ends with a tongue 1| that extends into a recess 12 formed in the periphery of the cylin-` der 8- and communicating with the igroove 05. The tongue 12 is provided with a recess or opening 13 for reception ofl the .operators 'iinger nail, or a suitable tool to Vshift the bar 61 against the tension of the spring 10 and space the clamping face of the bar suiciently from the side of the groove to allow the end of the master copy to be easily inserted.

Figure 9 illustrates a modified form of mechanism forl centering and holding kthe work sheets on the supporting table, whicheliminates worm screws and gears, such as employed in the mechanism heretofore described.

The modified centering mechanism consists rof a plurality of oscillating levers |00 pivotally connected to the lower face of the table 4, and provided at their outer ends with studs |0|, which `project upwardly through arcuate slots '|02 formed in the table. The forward pair of studs |0| are provided `with sleeves |03 formed of soft sponge rubber or similar material for frictiont ally engaging the sides of the stack supported on the table, while the adjacent studs, which are longitudinally alined with the sleeves, are preferably formed of hard smooth material, and serve to both longitudinally aline and guide the sheet from the stack during the feeding operation. As in the centering mechanism heretofore described rotation of the levers will contract and expand the studs with relation to each other, to compensate for varying length and width of work sheets.

Oscillation of the levers |00 is accomplished by throughits connection with the handle Willgbe longitudinallyshifted, and through the slotand pin connections with the levers |00, the .latter willbe oscillated on theirpivots to contract or expand the holding and pins |0| and |03, respectively. The contractile spring |09 connected to the 'plate |06 and thetable 4, serves to'normally urge the plate invone direction tofexpand the posts with relation to each other', while the handle may be locked in adjusted positionin any conventional manner. Y

' Operation In operation, the centering and holding mechanism` 5, Figures 1 and 3,- is adjusted to .the approximate width of the work sheets to be used, by rotation of the crank handle33, and the frictional pads are Vthen longitudinally adjusted on the straps 29 to a point where they will engagetheV stackadjacent its rear end, when the same is positioned upon the table/and feet 30', as indicatedinrdot and dash lines in Figure 2. The crank handle is then rotated rtocontract vthe pads for centering-.and frictionalengagement with the sides of the stack, in which position one pair of arms 21 formed on the bars 21 also engage the sides of the stack to hold the same in longitudinal alinement, and also guidethe work rsheets as they are fed to the moistener 6. .l

After the master copy has been clamped upon the cylinder 8, as heretofore explained, and the reservoir 50 is positioned upon therack arms 52, to supply liquid to the moistener trough 35, and the cylinder 8 is then rotated by means of the`handle 9, during which operation the eccentric |9 mounted upon the cylinder shaft 1 effects oscillatory movement to the lever l1', which, through itslink connection with the feed mechanism I4, causes the foot J, in contact with the top work sheet of thestack, to move toward the moistening mechanism. When the forward end of the sheet, which is guided to the moistener by the throat T, engages the moistening roll 39 and the pressure feedv roll 30, the same is held against further movement inasmuch as the operation of the moistener is so timed that during the initial sheet feeding operation, the rolls 39 and 40 remain stationary. Consequently, continued travel of thefoot J merely causes the work sheet F to buckle or bow upwardly, as shown in heavy dot and dash lines in Figure 1. At this point, the sector 41 is timed to engage the fiber roller 46 mounted upon the shaft 40 ofthe pressure feed roll, to impart rotation to the same, which causes the sheet to be fed through the moistener, and to the cylinder 8 and pressure roll 53.

Inasmuch as a portion of the moistening roll 39 is submerged in the liquid contained lin the trough 35, obviously, as 'the work sheets are fed over the moistener roll, moisture from itssurface will be transferred to the lower' face of the same, which engages the master copy on the cylinder 8.

During the moistening operation excessive liquid is removed from the surface of the moisteningV roll 39 by the squeegee roll 43, and inasmuch as neither the feed roll 40, nor the moistening roll 45 are rotated until such time as the work sheet is interposed between them, at no time is moisture transferred to the pressure feed roll 40, such as would occur in the interval between the intermittent sheet feed, were the rolls to be continuously driven. The importance in elimination of moisture from the feed roll 40 can be readily appreciated, in that such moisture would be transferred to the back of the sheet, as Well as to the face of the sheet, for a certain distance, creating a condition of excessive moisture in the sheet over that area, causing an eXtra heavy copy on the excessively moistened area, which is not only objectionable with respect to uniformity of the copy, but also results in rapid deterioration of the corresponding part of the master copy.

Due to the fact that the reservoir 59 is a closed receptacle, when the same is placed upon the arms 52 in operative position, atmospheric pressure maintains a constant level of liquid within the trough determined by the position of the inlet 48. When the reservoir is removed from the rack and placed upon a table or support, below the opening 48, the liquid contained in the trough quickly drains oiT and returns to the reservoir.

The drive roller 46 for the feed pressure roll 40 has been described as formed of fiber or composition material, while the driving sector el operatively connected with the cylinder 8 is .provided with a serrated surface for timed operative engagement with the roller 46. This structure is preferred as compared to a gear and gear sector having conventional gear teeth, due to its low cost and the fact that no positive stop is provided for the feed pressure roll, which in some instances would result in disalinement of the teeth, and damage to the machine.

From the moistener the sheet is fed in timed relation to the cylinder 8, .and because of the timing, accurate register between the work sheet and master copy is obtained. During rotation of the cylinder, the pressure roll 53 insures proper contact between the moistened work sheet and masterycopy to produce a clean and uniform impression, and due to the fact that the moisture is so accurately controlled, the condition of the Work sheet following its impression is such that it moves away from the feeder to be .engaged by the inclined delivery plate l at the rear end of the machine, which directs it to a completed stack on an adjacent support.

From the foregoing explanation, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that a comparatively simple and inexpensive duplicating machine of the liquid type has been provided, in which a stack of work sheets of varying dimensions, is quickly centered and registered'on the table for automatic feeding to a moistening mechanism of the roller type, designed to apply a uniform amount of moisture to the face of the Work sheet throughout its length, without the air of Wicks, brushes or similar devices, which are uncertain in operation, and require frequent replacement. It will further be apparent that as the work sheets pass through the moistener, wrinkling of the work sheets is precluded and consequently, the same will be delivered in smooth condition to the master copy, in accurate registration with the same. Attention is also directed to the fact that the structural design of the various elements produces an exceedingly inexpensive machine, and eliminates the necessity of a high degree of accuracy in machining and assembling of the operative parts.

It will further be apparent that the method and structure for feeding sheets from the stack, eliminates requirement of precise timing of the feed through the moistener, in that the buckling of the work sheet which occurs, compensates for minor inaccuracy in design or operation of the moistener feed.

The means provided for maintaining a constant level of liquid in the moistener during the operation of the machine, is exceedingly simple and efficient, and relieves necessity of manually draining liquid from the moistener trough when the machine is not in use.

While various means may be employed for attaching the master copy to the cylinder 8, the resilient clamp illustrated and described is simple and effective, and permits removal and attachment of the master copy with minimum effort.

In conclusion the present machine provides automatic feeding of Work sheets from a stack varying widely in dimensions and quickly centers and accurately registered on a supporting table by mechanical means, the stack being frictionally heldand the sheets being accurately guided to insure accurate feed of a single sheet at a time to the moistening mechanism, which operates to uniformly apply a controlled amount of moisture to the entire face of the work sheets, which are maintained in smooth condition, insuring uniform impressions and a maximum number of copies from a single master.

I claim:

1. A rotary duplicator of the liquid type comprising, a moistening roll over which the sheets are fed, a pressure feed roll engaging said moistening roll, a continuously driven cylinder containing a master copy for receiving sheets from the moistening roll, means operatively connected with said cylinder for feeding sheets to said moistening roll, and means operatively connected to said cylinder for intermittently rotating said pressure feed roll subsequent to engagement with the work sheets to cause buckling of the work sheet prior to rotation of said pressure roll.

2. A rotary duplicator of the liquid type comprising, a moistening roll over which the work sheets are fed, a pressure feed roll engaging said moistening roll and provided with -oppositely extending threads to create transverse spreading tension upon said sheets as they are fed through said rolls, a continuously driven cylinder containing a master copy for receiving sheets from the moistening roll, means operatively connected with said cylinder for feeding sheets to said moistening roll, and means operatively connected with said cylinder for intermittently rotating said pressure feed roll.

ROSCOE R. ROCKHILL. 

